When you read 'caterpillar to a butterfly,' think 'homeless to independence' with the shelter as the 'chrysalis.'
OUR STORY
Chrysalis to Wings (CTW) was founded on February 14, 2022, to ensure the improvement and expansion of services available to the vulnerable population experiencing homelessness in Ellis County, Texas. The CTW program is based on the founder's personal experience of homelessness and her own encounters in shelter facilities.​ While shelter is a basic need, equally important is learning the ways to successfully navigate supportive services so that homelessness is brief and non-recurring. The services provided by CTW assist the residents in moving beyond homelessness and into permanent housing in a timely manner.
THE BUTTERFLY ANALOGY
THE TRANSFORMATION
The transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly takes place in the Chrysalis. Inside the chrysalis, several things are happening; it is not a "resting" stage. The caterpillar's old body dies inside the chrysalis, and a new body with beautiful wings appears after a couple of weeks.
CREATING A SAFE PLACE
A caterpillar spends most of its time eating. When it is time to become an adult, it finds a sheltered safe spot where it transforms itself. The transformation or metamorphosis starts when the caterpillar spins a little silk pad.
TIMELINE & PROCESS CAN VARY
Some chrysalises hang upside down, but others support themselves on tree branches or create a silk hammock. The change inside the chrysalis is slow and gradual. Complete transformation takes about two weeks. Some species survive the winter in the chrysalis, and the transformation takes a couple of months.
OUTCOME
A couple of days before the butterfly emerges, the chrysalis changes color. The butterfly's patterns and color can be seen through the chrysalis. The butterfly breaks out of the protective chrysalis and pumps blood into its newly formed wings. Then it flies away.